For the most part, Blazers fans seem to be excited about the prospect of Hickson starting at center, with Stotts endorsing the move by declaring him the "incumbent." How Hickson's addition to the starting lineup will translate into success and style of play on the court, though, is another point of discussion.

Here's a look at what you're saying about Hickson and the rest of the Blazers roster as they get ready for training camp:

I like Hickson starting. ... That is a good starting five. Depth will be the issue this season for Portland, not the starters. Hopefully [Will] Barton, [Meyers] Leonard, and [Nolan] Smith are ready to go and develop quickly. They will be needed. I would also love to see [Adam] Morrison become the player so many thought he'd be. That'd be really cool for him and for the Blazers.

I agree, tentatively. The [Miami] Heat won a championship without a legit starting center, so small ball clearly works. And if both forwards can stay healthy and play consistently at an all-star level, with a Rookie of the Year candidate at point guard, the Blazers may just make the playoffs. I'm still anticipating a lottery pick in '13, though.

I don't mind talking Hickson as the incumbent, or even frontrunner, for the starting center spot. I won't mind if [Joel] Freeland gets talked up as a possibility to start at center. And I won't mind if either of those guys actually starts the season starting at center. I don't think that will be a bad way to manage expectations for Meyers Leonard. But considering we just turned our backs on free-agency after striking out on [Roy] Hibbert and paying [Nicolas] Batum, and seemingly fully committed to fast-tracking rebuilding largely via the draft, I will be surprised and disappointed if Leonard isn't the starting center before the all-star break.

The Feltdown is most excited about the prospect of something the Blazers have lacked for quite sometime, a fast-paced offense:

This lineup should be fun. I think the Blazers fans will finally get to see a real running offense that they have been promised for so many years. I have a good feeling about Stotts. I don't think we will win a lot of games but, honestly, I would like to see one more trip to the lottery then a playoff push next year. Although, I will admit the Blazers could be sleepers this year. Either way, I think it will be entertaining ball.

I think the Blazers will surprise a lot of people this year. They have a lot of talent, on paper. We'll just have to see how well (and how soon) they can play together as a team.

Elton Elliott just wants to see Stotts mix-and-match the lineup and play to win rather than 'not to lose':

I like that Coach Stotts is willing to experiment. I've often felt that the Blazer coaches in the past played not to lose rather than to win. Mix it up. Go big with Batum in the backcourt, [LaMarcus] Aldridge, Hickson, and Freeland up front. Play with two points together. Take a shot with [Damian] Lilliard, Smith, Barton, Batum, and Leonard or Freeland. See what Morrison and [Luke] Babbitt [can do] together with Lillard, [Wesley] Matthews, and Hickson ... Take a chance. Be bold. Nobody's expecting much so suprise some folks. We've got some shooters and playmakers, defenders and rebounders on this young team. Let's go for it. After years of thump, thump, slow down ball under Nate I'm dreaming of an exciting, uptempo team under Terry.

What do you think about having Hickson start at center? Or, if not Hickson, who do you want to see in the starting lineup? Read Freeman's advance of the Blazers' training camp and join the discussion in the comments section below.